attorneys

Meet our attorneys:

• > Charles L. Fridge
• > John R. Resendez
• > Judge Ken Wise
• > Denise L. Manley
• > Richard Morgan
• > Travis B. Vargo

PRACTICE AREAS

Litigation, mediation, arbitration and government relations.

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EXPERIENCE

Partner, Fridge, Resendez & Wise LLC. 2009-Present
Partner in a multi-city law firm (Houston, San Antonio, Austin) practicing in the areas of litigation, mediation, arbitration and government relations.

Judge, 152nd District Court, Harris County, Texas 2002-2008

• Elected (unopposed) to a full term, November, 2004
• Elected (over opposition) to the unexpired term, November, 2002
• Appointed by Governor Rick Perry, May, 2002
• Harris County Civil Administrative Judge, 2008-2009
  -- Unanimously elected Civil Administrative Judge by the Civil District Judges in Harris County.
• Co-Chair, State Bar of Texas Task Force on Court Organization
  -- Appointed to co-chair a task force comprised of lawyers and judges from around the State of Texas. This task force is undertaking a complete study of the organization of the Texas court system and making recommendations to the legislature for improvements.
• Multi-District Litigation Presiding Judge
  -- In re Phyllis Tomasino
• Harris County Juvenile Probation Board, 2004-present
  -- Service as the civil representative to the Board overseeing the largest juvenile probation department in Texas. The Board has responsibility for both the detention system and an alternative education program serving both juvenile offenders and discretionary placements from area school districts.
• Chairman, District Judges Facilities Committee, 1/2005-4/2006
• Chairman, District Judges Technology Committee, 5/2004-1/2005
  -- Supervised design and construction of a courtroom technology system for the new Harris County Civil Courthouse. Subsequently appointed as facilities chair overseeing completion of construction and move-in for 25 District Courts, 8 County Courts, the District Clerk and the County Clerk.
• District Judges Legislative Committee, 2004-Present
  --Member of committee responsible for overseeing issues of concern for Harris County judicial system in the state legislature. Took on a lead role for Harris County working on the judicial pay raise legislation during the 79th Legislature. Assisted in the analysis and negotiation of the Court Reorganization legislation in the 80th Legislature. Extensive involvement in bill analysis and resource work for legislators, legislative staff, and interested constituencies concerning legislation affecting the judiciary.
• District Judges Security Committee
• Civil District Judges Internal Procedures Committee
• Civil District Judges Rules Committee
• Service as a visiting Judge in Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Cameron, Galveston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, and Trinity counties.
• Chairman, State Bar of Texas Court Organization Working Group
  -- Appointed Chairman of a group charged with studying the organization of the Texas court system at all levels. The group was formed to study the issues addressed by SB 1204 in the 80th Legislature. Members include Judges from all levels of the Texas Judiciary, lawyers from around the State as well as representatives from the legislature.
• Director, Infragard Houston, 2005-Present
  -- Infragard is a program administered by the FBI. This organization is a partnership between the FBI, the private sector and local law enforcement. IT is dedicated to facilitate the sharing of information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against The United States, particularly in the technology arena.

Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy, University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
2003-Present

Instructor, National Institute of Trial Advocacy 2004-Present

Attorney, Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP, Houston, Texas 1994-2002

General civil litigation, sports law and agricultural law practice.  Represented both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving oil & gas issues, environmental contamination, real estate, business organizations, business dissolution, computer systems integration, large-docket toxic torts, brain injury, spinal and soft tissue injury and insurance defense.  General Counsel to automobile racing teams in the Indy Racing League and Toyota Atlantic Series.  Represented owners and sponsors in NASCAR Winston Cup (now Nextel Cup) and Busch racing series.  Represented large ranching interests, thoroughbred and quarter horse racing owners, breeders and trainers, and advised horse racing facilities on racing and gaming issues.  Spent eight months in-house (part time) with a major international energy company managing litigation as in-house counsel.

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EDUCATION

University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas Juris Doctorate, 1994 Order of the Barristers Phi Kappa Phi Board of Advocates, 1993-94 Finalist, Hippard Mock Trial Competition 1993 Quarter-Finalist, Hippard Mock Trial Competition 1992 Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas BBA, Finance 1991 Intercollegiate Rodeo Team 1986-88

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